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Health Professions Advising

Gaining Experience

Medical schools are looking for more than a strong academic record. Physicians have to be smart, but they should also be good listeners, capable leaders, team players, altruistic, flexible, compassionate, and culturally sensitive. Schools look for well-rounded candidates who have explored the field, therefore it is important to incorporate clinical and research exposure into your undergraduate career, both during the academic year and summer.

Study

Taking advantage of the courses offered through the Health Studies Minor is a great way to demonstrate your involvement in and understanding of the health field. Many of these courses examine the important intersection between public health and social justice.

Research

Intellectually curious individuals are ideal candidates for medical school, and having research experience is a great way to demonstrate this characteristic. If you’re interested in the sciences, plan to spend time in a laboratory setting, with an eye toward working in a biomedical laboratory. Additionally, if you’re unsure of your career path—MD, MD-PhD, or PhD—spending another year or two after graduation in a research lab may help clarify your goals.

Haverford College provides motivated students with opportunities for research on- and off-campus. Apply for funding through the KINSC, or talk to a professor about working in their lab during the school year, or over the summer.

Note: Individuals interested specifically in earning an MD-PhD need to demonstrate a serious interest in and exposure to research, and will need to be very familiar with their research projects.

Leadership and Service

Clubs, athletics, and part-time jobs can all help improve your ability to work collaboratively, or offer an opportunity to assume a leadership role.

Consider your non-academic activities as learning opportunities, however be careful not to become overextended. Depth and continuity is more valuable than casual participation in a multitude of activities. It is always best to focus on something you feel passionate about.

Medically-Related Patient Centered Experience

Medical schools look for individuals with a history of engaging in patient-centered experiences, and an ability to demonstrate your insight gained through work with patients in a clinical setting.

First-hand experience—either as an employee, volunteer, or intern—also demonstrates that you are able to make a knowledgeable career choice. This is why you should explore medicine from as many perspectives as possible is very important.

Volunteer and Service

Medicine is a service based career. You can strengthen your ability to communicate with people from different backgrounds and cultures through community service activities. There are many ways you can serve the community around you.

Work

The Center for Career and Professional Advising (CCPA) offers a variety of resources including career advising, information on summer internships, listings of gap year opportunities, as well as resume and cover letter review.

First-year students and sophomores interested in medicine or dentistry should consider the annual six-week summer program offered by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and the American Dental Education Association (ADEA).